A Mother’s Day Tribute

On a wedding day, a mother is the one who zips up your dress. Helps calm your nerves. Hands you a tissue to catch tears of joy.

Or she’s handed you a family heirloom to give to your bride. Or she’s pinning the boutonniere on your tux. Straightening that tie.

On a wedding day, moms do what they do best: anything and everything to make their children happy.

Mothers and all they do

We love moms at Sweet Pea weddings. They run interference, solve problems, greet guests, keep the trains running on time, glow with pride, inhale with emotion trying to keep tears at bay.

A mother’s love is like an extra layer of sunshine, casting a fierce glow over the whole day. Sweet Pea moms have done so much. Like sewing their daughter’s bridal gown, and all the bridesmaids dresses, too. Or creating gorgeous floral centerpieces. Choreographing flash mob dances. Making everyone feel welcome. Smoothing family tensions. Writing and delivering emotional toasts.

Sometimes, a mother’s only presence on a wedding day shines through in a groom’s smile or that certain way a bride brushes a strand of hair from her face. When a mother’s framed picture graces a tribute table, we know the best way to honor her legacy is to find her spirit in the people and emotion in the gathered crowd.

Mothers: Our Favorite scenes

To celebrate Mother’s Day and honor ALL the moms we’ve had the pleasure of working with, we’ve compiled a just a few of our favorite scenes.

Sarah’s mom, Ellen, crafted one of the best toasts we’ve recorded at a wedding. It’s funny, charming and definitely emotional. We knew it was the perfect foundation for this Mother’s Day tribute.

If you’ve had a mom who helped you with your wedding, make sure to give her a really big hug on Mother’s Day, or pick up the phone and thank her (no texts!!)!

And for all the mothers we know and love: Happy Mother’s Day!

Why Good Vibes are Critical to Your Wedding Film

When you spend time with people you really like, good vibes simply flow. That’s why I make a point to talk about chemistry and vibes with couples interested in wedding videography.

Here’s why I chat about it: One of the biggest factors in creating an awesome wedding day for you and your guests is the people — i.e. the wedding pros — you surround yourself with.

Your video team will spend most of the wedding day in your orbit, sometimes being as close as over your shoulder during prep or as far away as 300 feet when piloting an aerial drone. We always want to be as unobtrusive as possible — you know, the proverbial fly on the wall — meaning we’ll stay out of the action and let it unfold as naturally as possible for as much of the day.

But the reality is: We’re fairly close throughout the day. Because of that, we want you to be as comfortable with us as possible.

Find a Videographer: Why Meetings Matter

That means we want to meet you! Preferably in person and over drinks, but via Skype if we can’t gather in the real world. In-person and online meetings not only help YOU figure out if we’re chill enough to hang at your wedding, but also helps us determine if we want to work with you.

What? Sweet Pea doesn’t work with every couple that comes a callin’? Shocking as it sounds, we don’t.

Most of the time, it’s because the couple just doesn’t like our creative process and want to “manufacture” nearly every moment of the day. That’s not our jam, as we prefer to film events as they happen organically. So, that’s really a mismatch of “style” rather than personality. So, if I’m being very honest, I will tell you that we have met a few couples who cringed when we described our journalistic-documentary approach. We could tell our inquisitive nature was simply too intrusive. And we knew if we filmed that wedding, we’d be frustrated not getting the kind of access to story we want.

We both swiped left, so to speak. And that’s OK.

Thankfully, those good vibes — when our energy matches and we’re laughing about the same things — happen all the time. Most couples have already done a ton of research checking out our work and our “about” section and have a pretty solid idea of who we are and how we operate. Then, our easy going nature and our crazy devotion to our craft (and our couples) usually rule the day.

Find a Videographer: The Team’s Vibe

The other key vibes couples should consider is the chemistry among the video team members.  Great teams have a flow that’s apparent, and bring calm to a crazy busy day. You don’t want videographers barking at each other or being a distraction during your wedding. It’s our opinion that videographers and photographers should be almost unseen and unheard on a wedding day. (There are a few exceptions to this rule, but that’s another blog conversation!).

Being spouses, Dean and I have a smooth working relationship. Maybe that’s from our ballroom dance lessons this winter. Ha! But in all seriousness, having done so many weddings together, we anticipate each other’s needs, and we simply flow with the action of the day.

Truthfully, it wasn’t always that way. We’d have to bite our collective tongues during stressful moments when things weren’t going exactly as planned. We were too green and not used to working with each other (again, another blog post down the road. LOL!) But it’s easy now. We’re both easy-going, happy and passionate filmmakers who have developed a rock-solid shooting style and plan for a very challenging day.

So on to the advice portion of this post:

Your Video Team: 3 Ways to Click

  1. Check out their website: First, critically review their work and make sure it’s worth your time to contact them. Then, read their “about” section. You should get some very big clues on how they like to operate and what their personalities are. If not, you may want to ask a few more personal questions during your face-to-face … which is next.

  2. Meet in person! There’s no easier way to figure out if your personalities are a good fit. Does your energy match? Is humor or reverence important? What about volume — loud or quiet?

  3. Make them list their most important goals on a wedding day: If your vidoegrapher’s most important goal is to rock the “cinematic” epic shots during portrait and video sessions that go for more than three hours and race around to five different locations, but your primary goal is to perfectly capture your grandfather’s serenade at the reception, well, then, you might have a chemistry mismatch. As the client, YOUR goals should be those of your videographer, but you’ll find as you interview companies that a studio’s style and approach might not be as flexible to match yours.

There you have it. We hope this advice helps you swipe right with the perfect video team for your wedding.

Cheers!

Kids Bring Energy to Ceremonies

Kids were always going to be part of Ashley and John’s wedding.

“We never imagined our wedding without kids – it was a way that we could incorporate different generations into our special day. And who doesn’t love seeing an adorable flower girl dropping petals?!? Or a dapper ring bearer escorting two lovely beauties. Family is the the core of our foundation and being able to incorporate each of them into our wedding party was what made our day so unforgettable.,” said Ashley, who married John at the beautiful Nobel Chapel at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.

We love — and when I say love, I mean that with capital L-O-V-E — filming kids at weddings. Most of the time, their energy and good spirits are infectious, and there’s always that delicious anticipation wondering if they’ll make it down the aisle.

Plus, little ones are ALWAYS — again ALL CAPS for emphasis — the first ones on the dance floor, which often helps some guests get over their shyness to get down.

Kids at Weddings: Planners’ perspectives

Meredith Sipe, owner of Blue Fancy Events in Milwaukee, thinks it’s a great idea to include children.

“The more the merrier when it comes to including little ones in your wedding ceremony (ahem . . . for some couples),” she says. “As we all know, kids can be unpredictable . . . especially kids under the age of 4. Little “Suzy” might decide to stand in the middle of the aisle for a couple of extra minutes, and “Bobby” might throw a fit and refuse to walk all together. For some brides and grooms to be, this can be cute and heartwarming, but for some it can add a level of unneeded stress. If you’re okay with a little uncertainty, bring on the little ones!”

Brandy Blackford of Sweet I Do offers this tip: “Find out their favorite snack at the rehearsal and bring it to the ceremony in a cute package. Show them who will have it or where it will be waiting when they get down the aisle. Works every time!”

Kids from a photographer’s perspective

Tiffany Grace Linden, a photographer at LT Visuals Photography, encourages couples to have realistic goals. “Don’t expect them to stand the whole time! Especially if they’re really little,” she said. “Station a parent/grandparent/close family friend who can sit with the child near the front and let them sit down after they’ve walked in.”

Age can make a huge difference, says Courtney Jackson of The Charming Details: “Don’t pick super young children and expect them to get down the aisle. LOL! All the 2-year-olds in past wedding never make it!”

Sweet Pea’s advice on kids

Here are our own 3 tips on having success with kids in your wedding:

  1. Keep expectations low! If they make it down the aisle, great. If not, no worries … and make sure to have a kiddie wranger (mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandparents) ready to swoop in if they can’t figure it out or if emotions are getting the best of them.

  2. Pair kids! In the video we share, there’s the most adorable pair of boys and girls walking together. We all like a little support, and that’s no different for kids!

  3. Consider nap time when setting your ceremony time. If your heart is set on having really little ones in the formal festivities, consider setting a ceremony to accommodate naps — that will help not only the kids, but parents, too!

Are you planning on including little ones in your wedding ceremony? If so, will they carry signs or flowers? Will they bring the all important ring? We’d love to hear how you’re incorporating them in your big day!

Cheers, Cindy

Genius of WEDMKE wedding show

Genius isn’t a word I use often, but when it comes to WEDMKE, it fits.

Genius – Wedding venue with history

First, this wedding show is in the historic Turner Hall Ballroom, which always makes me feel like I’ve stepped onto a “Dr. Zhivago” set. Like many of the grand buildings in that 1965 Oscar-winning film, the ballroom is a Milwaukee jewel, even if netting covers the ceiling lest plaster rain down on heads below. From it’s gymnastics club beginnings to its current incarnation as a live-music and event space, Turner Hall has just the right historical charm for couples who want something completely different.

Genius – Wedding pros with unique talents

Second, the organizers of WEDMKE put a premium on showcasing truly unique wedding pros and their work is intensely local or simply put: the most creative of what Milwaukee area has to offer. That means you’re not going to find cookie-cutter anything. Wedding gowns? Handmade. Sweets? Baked specifically for you. Cinematography? Hand-crafted and devoted to your wedding story. This group of artisans will go the extra mile to bring your vision to life in ways you can’t even imagine.

Genius – Music concert vibe

Third, did we mention fun? Turner Hall is a live music venue, and you’ll hear plenty at the show. Sure, the bands playing make it a smidge harder to chat, but it’s a worthy trade-off, even if it means we’ll have froggy voices on Monday. Plus, the full bar is open for the entire show, which can be an oasis of calm in a busy room. So if your significant other needs a reason to come along, they’ll find plenty of local brews and spirits to take the edge off.

Before I started participating in wedding shows, I was petrified about the idea of “selling” Sweet Pea. But at our very first show, I realized that I never had to hawk. Attendees want to find out about our process and discover the creativity that makes Sweet Pea couples over the moon about their wedding films.

The other thing we adore about the few wedding shows we do is that engaged couples can do a ton of planning and idea-gathering in a short amount of time because so many businesses are gathered together for their convenience. And there’s nothing better than hearing, touching and seeing real invitations, flowers and wedding films. So much more rewarding than scrolling through Pinterest!

We hope we’ll see you at this truly unique — and genius — gathering of artisans! And if you can’t come down to see us, make sure to check out this beautiful Sneak Peek filmed at Turner Hall for Victoria and Patrick last year.

Cheers, Cindy!

5 Reasons to Attend Milwaukee’s Magnificent Bride Show

Before I roll out the “5 Reasons to attend Milwaukee’s Magnificent Bride Show,” I’m going to be candid. I am not a fan of typical wedding showcases.

Why? Because these events usually are jammed beyond belief and so loud you can’t hear yourself think, much less have a genuine conversation with anyone about their wedding. Overwhelmed attendees can’t discern who’s offering what or if a certain aesthetic or idea might work with their goals.

But wait, you say. Isn’t this an entire blog about attending a bridal show?Yes it is, but the Milwaukee’s Magnificent Bride show on March 4th at the Pfister Hotel is not your typical wedding show.

When we step into the hotel’s gilded ballrooms, we are transported into an elegant space that offers plenty of room for everyone to wander at their own pace. The ambiance allows for attendees to see — and hear — all of the great wedding options gathered specifically for them.

MMB: Pros Know What They’re Doing

MMB is the brainchild of David Caruso of Exciting Events, Debi Zeinert of Blooming Quill and Kate Iggens of Stone Manor Bridal and Wingman Formanwear, three pros who know what they’re doing. The workshops, vendors and theme are designed to offer Milwaukee-area brides (and grooms!) the very best in wedding trends, decor, planning, jewelry, stationery, photography, lighting, music, gifts, travel, florists, sweets, venues, attire, hair & makeup and catering.

Oh, and the best videography, too.

This is only one of two wedding shows we participate in (more on WEDMKE next week). That’s it! Two public chances to say hello and see if we’d be a good fit for your wedding day. The chance to talk with a couple about their hopes and dreams for their wedding day are one of the things we actually like about attending wedding shows.

And did I mention the free champagne? Or the grand prize giveaway? Or the swag bag?

MMB: 5 Reasons to Attend

  1. Wandering in the Pfister. If you haven’t been to this iconic landmark, it’s simply a must! After roaming the ballrooms, partaking of the show, jet up to BLU for a Bloody Mary and the most beautiful view to contemplate all that you’ve seen and what you want to incorporate into your wedding.

  2. Seeing the best in wedding ideas. If you’re tired of scrolling Pinterest for ideas, this is the spot. You can see, touch, smell, taste and hear what’s available and what can be dreamed up for your wedding.

  3. Meeting incredible wedding pros. Including Sweet Pea Cinema. Need I say more? 🙂

  4. Free champagne. Bubbly always makes me happy! And if you’re of age and have your wristband, a glass of champagne will be at hand.

  5. Grand prize. Each bride (or groom) will be given a key, and one of those hundreds of keys will unlock a special case containing a signature piece of jewelry.

We’re so honored to be part of this group of vendors, which we consider among the very best wedding pros in the region. We know weddings are a huge investment in time, energy and money, and we can say with certainty that you can put your mind at ease when working with this crew. All of them have the experience and can-do attitudes to go above and beyond for your big day.

See you there!

Cheers, Cindy